As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I questioned witnesses during a full committee hearing this week on the real-world impacts of the Democrats' shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including its agencies, missions, and workforce. The consequences are clear: frontline personnel are facing overwhelming operational strain due to repeated failures to fund DHS.

2026 Star of Texas Awards, which honor peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and federal law enforcement personnel who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. To be eligible for the 2026 award, the critical incident must have occurred between September 1, 2003 and June 15, 2026. Nominations can also be made for private citizens who were seriously injured or killed while aiding or attempting to aid a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical first responder in the performance of their duties.

Through the official powers of the United States government, Democrats used nearly 200 subpoenas to target over 400 Republican aligned groups and individuals. Arctic Frost tapped into 100,000 private communications, involved more than a dozen senators, and affected thousands of individuals’ lives, which is a blatant abuse of power. The Biden Administration wielded investigative power through the DOJ and FBI against political opponents. 

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), is proud to announce $1 million in apprenticeship grant funding dedicated to strengthening the state's health care system. This investment supports the Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Program, which provides essential care to communities across Texas.

The United States Supreme Court is finally ruling on an issue (Watson v RNC) that should have been decided long ago: the dissonant practice of accepting ballots after the Election Day deadline. This case could indeed shift the 2026 midterms in Republicans’ favor, since Democrats often win by broad and unjustified election expansion, which opens the door to cheating, stuffing, and undoing the vote.

There are just no two ways about it; Democrats' continued shutdown of the Dept. of Homeland Security & ICE is National Security malpractice. With the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament less than 80 days away, and America's 250th Birthday Celebrations being scheduled across the Nation around July 4th, this is especially alarming – we've already seen four ISIS-inspired attacks on our homeland recently, including one in Austin where three innocent people were killed.

Donald Trump’s comments about the war are all over the map. To his detractors, that looks like flailing inconstancy. Among his supporters, it’s brilliant strategic ambiguity. But most acknowledge that Trump appears to be suing for peace even as Iran continues to throttle maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing global commodities prices and putting immense pressure on the U.S. and Israel to wrap this up soon — even, perhaps, short of their objectives.

"I was the only Democrat through this entire thing that refused to shut down our government," said first term Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman the other day – in a nationally televised interview that was surely seen by millions of Americans, no less. And for his strong dose of Common Sense to end the 2-to-4 hour waiting lines that have spread across the nation's major airports, the Democrat's Party leadership is furious with him. Turns out he’s about the only voice of sanity in the party.

"Some Democrats are getting downright hysterical,” said Sen. John Cornyn on the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, as he discussed Democrats’ continued obstruction to fund or re-open the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS,) leaving the American people to suffer in airports across America. President Trump, Cornyn said, has been left with no choice but to deploy U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to help maintain the nation's Security Screening Processes.

Yesterday, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., gathered with local officials at the Topping-Out Ceremony for the future Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, where the final structural beam was placed atop the building. This transformative museum will offer a world-class experience inviting guests from Texas and beyond to explore the full 300-year history of the Alamo.

Too many Americans now see their fellow Americans who are of a different party or persuasion as a bigger enemy than Iran or Russia. Long-term friendships have been destroyed over whether one loves or hates President Trump. At least the sports instant replay usually leads to the affirming or overturning of a decision by the referee. The political instant replay solves nothing, even when the "players" are shown to be wrong. The result in too many cases has been political paralysis.

"If you are not in Texas, this is the safest place to build your business and to raise a family. If you are not here yet, get here quickly," said Governor Abbott, emphasizing the number of job-creating corporate relocation and expansion projects in Texas, driven by the state’s pro-business mindset and an environment where free enterprise can flourish. The Governor highlighted innovative industry leaders in AI, biotech, nuclear, and advanced manufacturing.

If Watergate taught us anything, it is that even a single abuse of power—carried out by a handful of individuals—can shake the foundations of our Republic. But what we confront today—the Biden Administration’s Arctic Frost scheme—is not a single act. It is a modern Watergate—trading a break-in at one office for a digital sweep into approximately 100,000 private communications, more than a dozen Senators, and 1,000s of individuals’ lives.

There used to be many business advantages for corporations to be headquartered in Silicon Valley and New York City or Chicago - despite the high taxes. But those advantages have all but dissipated. New York City’s hold as the financial capital has disappeared as firms flock to Miami and Dallas.  The fastest growing tech centers are in Salt Lake and Austin. Chicago was the city that worked. Now it’s the city that doesn’t work.

Beginning this year, Tuskegee Airmen Day will be observed on the fourth Thursday in March to honor the first African American military pilots and support staff who played a crucial role during World War II. The Fort Worth Veterans Home is named after the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American combat flying unit in the United States Armed Forces. These pilots served during World War II and completed over 15,000 missions across North Africa and Europe

If you want to understand what’s really happening in Iran right now, don’t listen to the spin. Watch the behavior. Watch who’s being expelled. Watch who’s being deployed. Watch who’s suddenly willing to talk. Because when you line up the facts—not the narratives—you see something unmistakable: This isn’t a stalemate. This is a regime in collapse. According to U.S. leadership, Iran’s military—long hyped as a regional powerhouse—has been dismantled at a pace that even seasoned observers didn’t expect.

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks on the creation of the new Texas Jobs Council, which will strengthen Texas' workforce development initiatives and ensure Texans are prepared to fill the state's growing number of high-demand jobs. In addition to speaking on the mission of the Texas Jobs Council, Governor Abbott touted the economic success that the state of Texas has already achieved.

With the exit of five members of the Senate, including four chairs, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has named chairs to lead standing and new interim select committees. The chairs serving on the interim select committees will remain in their positions through the 90th Legislative Session, as the select committees will be made permanent standing committees when the 90th Legislature commences in January 2027.